Automatic orientation-based user interface for an ambiguous handheld device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided that includes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or more internal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to have a selected orientation about one or more axes. The detection mechanism can detect orientation information about the electronic device. The one or more components may select the orientation of the user-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic devices. Inparticular, the present invention relates to automatic orientation baseduser-interface features for an electronic device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Devices such as handheld computers, typically referred to aspersonal digital assistants (PDAs), are designed to have configurableinput and output features. For example, some PDAs have configurablebutton options. Other PDAs have manual or application specific screenrotations.

[0003] PDAs generally have a designated orientation, centered around theuse of the input/output features. For example, a typical PDA has arectangular screen. Visual indices indicate a left and right side of thedisplay. When content such as text is provided on the display, thecontent has a fixed orientation, with the left-right and top-downdirections being fixed on the display. Similarly, the buttons on the PDAusually have a vertical orientation, set just below the display.

[0004] Given the fixed orientation of the typical PDA, the user haslimits in how the device can be configured and oriented. For example,the device must be picked up and used in the correct orientation inorder for the display to be used. The button functions assignments maybe configurable, but the buttons have fixed physical locations relativeto the display of the PDA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the invention provide an electronic device thatincludes a user-interface feature, a detection mechanism and one or moreinternal components. The user-interface feature is configurable to havea selected orientation about at least a first axis. The detectionmechanism can detect orientation information about the electronicdevice. The one or more components may select the orientation of theuser-interface feature based on the detected orientation information.

[0006] In am embodiment, the physical orientation of an electronicdevice is symmetrical about two center-line axes. The orientation forthose user-interface features is determined after the device is held bya user for use.

[0007] In one embodiment, the device may has a square shape, withsymmetrically disposed buttons and a display. The orientation fordisplaying content on the display, and for assigning functions to thebuttons, is determined once the device is held.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example,and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings. Like reference numerals are intended to refer to similarelements among different figures.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an ambiguous electronic devicethat can be configured for multiple orientations, under an embodiment ofthe invention.

[0010]FIG. 2A is a front isometric view of an ambiguous electronicdevice that can be configured for multiple orientations, under anotherembodiment of the invention.

[0011]FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view cut along lines A-A of FIG. 2A.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a back view of an electronic device including a sensorsystem for determining orientation information for the electronicdevice, under another embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a side view of an electronic device including a sensorsystem for determining orientation information for an electronic device,under an embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a method for configuring an electronic device based onorientation information detected from a sensor system, under anembodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a method for configuring an electronic device based onorientation information detected from user-input, under an embodiment ofthe invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a block diagram for an electronic device configured forusing orientation information, under an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Embodiments of the invention describe an ambiguous electronicdevice having automatic orientation-based user interface features. Inthe following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

[0018] A. Overview

[0019] Embodiments of the invention include an ambiguous electronicdevice that can detect orientation information. Components of theambiguous device, including user-interface features, are configurablebased on the detected orientation of the device.

[0020] According to an embodiment, an electronic device includes auser-interface feature, a detection mechanism, and one or morecomponents for configuring the user-interface feature. Theuser-interface feature is disposed symmetrically about one or more axes,and is configurable to have any one of multiple orientations. Thedetection mechanism detects a user-orientation for using the electronicdevice. The components are configured to select the orientation of theuser-interface feature based on the detected user-orientation, and toconfigure the user-interface feature according to the selectedorientation.

[0021] A user-interface feature is any feature that provides output tothe user, or allows the user to enter input into the electronic device.Examples of user-interface features include a display, an inputmechanism appearing on a display, or a set of actuatable surfaces.

[0022] A detection mechanism is any device that can detect orientationinformation, or be used in a manner that will determine orientation.Examples of detection mechanisms include sensors, actuatable surfacesand other mechanisms, that detect how the user has oriented theelectronic device when using it. In one embodiment, the detectionmechanism detects the orientation of the handheld during or right afterthe electronic device is in a power-on state.

[0023] The one or more components may refer to a processor or othercomponent instructed to perform certain functions. Other examples ofcomponents in the electronic device include drivers, such as displaydrivers.

[0024] Actuatable surfaces include surfaces that act as switches whencontacted by the user.

[0025] B. Ambiguous Electronic Devices

[0026]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a configurable, ambiguouselectronic device, under an embodiment of the invention. An electronicdevice 100 such as shown by FIG. 1 is symmetrical about at least twoaxes. This symmetry facilitates the electronic device 100 in beingconfigured based on a detected orientation of the electronic device.

[0027] A set of user-interface features for electronic device 100includes a display 120 and an arrangement of buttons 130. A housing 108encases internal components of electronic device 100, and provides afront panel 112 for the set of user-interface features. The housing 108may be referenced by a first and second pair of sides 105, 115.

[0028] Because electronic device 100 is ambiguous, it has no designatedorientation for its user-interface features until its orientation isdetermined. The layout of the user-interface features is symmetricallydisposed about the X and Y center-line axes. For example, the top/bottomand left/right sides of the electronic device are unknown when thedevice is in an ambiguous state.

[0029] In an embodiment, the top/bottom and left/right sides ofelectronic device 100 are not designated, but determined after thedevice is held or in use. Once the orientation of electronic device 100becomes known, the user-interface features are configured to functionusing the determined orientation. For example, content appearing ondisplay 120 will have an orientation that matches the device's use.Button actions have set positions, and the buttons 130 that cause thoseactions to be performed are determined based on the orientation of thedevice.

[0030] Conventional electronic devices have set orientations before andafter when they are in use. For example, conventional electronic deviceshave housing structures and visual indices to inform the user of theorientation of the electronic device. In contrast, embodiments of theinvention provide no indication of the device's orientation prior to itsuse. The electronic device 100 and its user-interface features may besymmetrically disposed about one or more axes. The housing 108 may besymmetrical. No visual indices may be provided to indicate how, forexample, a user should hold the electronic device 100. The orientationof the electronic device 100 will not matter until the device is held orin use.

[0031] Accordingly, electronic device 100 may be referenced against twocenter-line axes X and Y. In an embodiment, the lengths of all sides105, 115 of electronic device 100 are the same, so that electronicdevice 100 has a square shape. Other shapes may be contemplated forelectronic device 100, including geometries symmetrical about X and/orY. For example, other embodiments may provide that housing 108 isrectangular or circular.

[0032] The display 120 and buttons 130 are symmetrically disposed onfront panel 112 about X and Y. The display 120 is centrally positionedrelative to axes X and Y. The buttons 130 are positioned on each cornerof the square-shaped electronic device 100.

[0033] Display 120 displays content according to an orientation usingone or more reference indications on axes X and Y. A referenceindication may determine a top-down or right-left direction for display120. The reference indication will designate one of the axes X, Y as thevertical axis, the other as the horizontal axis. Furthermore, thereference indication will indicate a top/bottom end about the verticalaxis and left/right end about the horizontal axis.

[0034] The reference indication is determined after orientationinformation is determined from electronic device 100. The orientationinformation may be derived from detection mechanisms, such as describedwith FIGS. 3 and 4. The orientation information enables components ofelectronic device 100 to set the vertical and horizontal directions fordisplay 120. In this way, content such as text is displayed relative toa top and bottom, and right to left.

[0035] In an embodiment, buttons 130 are assigned actions based on theorientation information. The actions may include any one of a set ofpredefined functions, operations, or programs, so that actuation of oneof the buttons causes a corresponding function, operation or program tobe performed. The action associated with each button 130 may bedetermined by identifying a reference indication using the orientationinformation. The reference indication can be used to designate physicallocations for where buttons for specified actions are to be located. Forexample, the reference indication may designate one of the first pair ofsides 105 as a left side for housing 108, and one of the second pair ofsides 115 as a right side for housing 108. The button 130 designated tobe in one of the comers, such as the top-left comer, may have apre-selected action assigned to it.

[0036] According to an embodiment, electronic device 100 is equipped todetect orientation information for the electronic device in use.Detection mechanisms, as described in Section C, may be used to providethe orientation information when the device is gripped, or otherwiseused. The orientation information may indicate, for example, how a useris holding the device, whether the user is holding it withleft-handedness or right-handedness, and/or whether the user-interfacefeatures are facing up or down. This orientation information may, inturn, be used to designate left, right, top and/or bottom sides onelectronic device 100. In this way, the orientation information forelectronic device 100 will appear in a manner that matches a user'sorientation for using the device.

[0037] Similarly, features such as buttons may be assigned to actions byhaving pre-determined locations for where buttons for each action is tobe located. A button-press in the top, left corner, for example, willalways identify a certain action. The orientation information is used toidentify the top, left corner. The same orientation information thatconfigures display 120 can be used to set the orientation of buttons130.

[0038]FIG. 2A is a front isometric view of an ambiguous electronicdevice that can be configured for multiple orientations, under anotherembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2A, designated contact surfaces 230may be substituted for buttons on a housing 208. A front panel 212 ofhousing 208 provides the user-interface features, including displayassembly 220. The display assembly 220 may be a contact-sensitivedisplay, comprising a display screen 235 (FIG. 2B) and a digitizer pad225. The digitizer pad 225 extends over and beyond the display screen235. The digitizer pad 225 may be used to provide contact surfaces 240that can be contacted to enter an input signal. The contact-sensitiveareas 240 appear in regions of front panel 212 where digitizer pad 225extends beyond display surface 235. For example, one of the contactsurfaces 240 may be touched by the user to signal an interrupt to aprocessor. In this way, contact surfaces 240 may function the same asbuttons 230.

[0039]FIG. 2B is a cross-section of FIG. 2A, cut along lines A-A.Digitizer pad 225 extends over and beyond display screen 235. Thedigitizer pad 225 is configured to detect and interpret user contact onlocations corresponding to either designated surfaces 240, or displayassembly 220. Display surface 235 is configured to display images in theform of pixels or other graphic elements.

[0040] In one embodiment, digitizer pad 225 is formed from a materialthat is integrated into front panel 212. An example of this type ofhousing construction for an electronic device such as a handheldcomputer is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/871,322,entitled “Three-Dimensional Contact-Sensitive Feature for ElectronicDevices.” This application is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

[0041] In one embodiment, orientation information is used to designateactions for designated contact surfaces 240. For example, each contactsurface 240 may be one of a set, having a fixed position on front panel212. The orientation information may be used to identify what action isto be assigned to that contact surface 240.

[0042] In another embodiment, the location of the contact surfaces 240are not fixed, but determined by the orientation information. Theorientation information may be used to interpret where contact surfacesare to appear on front panel 212, or elsewhere on housing 208. Whenorientation information is received, a region of digitizer pad 225 maybe activated to receive input through contact with that region.Therefore, the location of each contact surface 240 is determined by theorientation information. For example, orientation information maydetermine that four contact surfaces 240 are needed for electronicdevice 200, with one contact surface at each comer. Similarly, anotherconfiguration may be interpreted from other orientation information thatdictates five contact surfaces are needed for the same electronic device200. Furthermore, the five contact surfaces may appear linearly to oneside of display assembly 120.

[0043] C. Detection Mechanisms for Detecting Orientation Information

[0044] Embodiments of the invention provide for detection mechanismsthat detect orientation information about an electronic device when thedevice is in use. The orientation information is shared with componentsthat can configure user-interface features for a particular orientation.Specific types of detection mechanisms described in this applicationinclude touch-sensitive sensor systems, and user initiated inputmechanisms.

[0045] (1) Sensor Systems

[0046]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of electronic device 300 adapted toinclude an orientation-detection mechanism, under an embodiment of theinvention. The electronic device 300 may be square, or otherwiseambiguous in shape. In an embodiment, the orientation mechanism is asensor system that detects an orientation of electronic device 300 basedon input that is detected by the sensor system. The reference point may,for example, be a person, or the direction of gravity.

[0047] Sensor system 310 may include a plurality of sensor pads 312.Each sensor pad 312 corresponds to a contact-sensitive surface thatdetects contact from a user of electronic device 300. In an embodiment,sensor pads 312 appear where a user would grip the electronic device300. In FIG. 3, sensor pads 312 appear on a back panel 320 of electronicdevice 300.

[0048] The sensor pads 312 may be distributed on back panel 320.Individual sensor pads 312 may be actuated by users who contact thesensor pads in the course of gripping or handling electronic device 300.Enough sensor pads 312 may be provided or otherwise positioned so thatactuated sensor pads are a subset of all the sensor pads on the backpanel 320.

[0049] Orientation information may be detected by identifying thearrangement of sensor pads 312 that are actuated as a result of the usergripping the electronic device 300. For example, components ofelectronic device 300 may be equipped to identify one arrangement ofactuated sensor pads 312 as being left-handedness, and anotherarrangement of actuated sensor pads 312 as being right-handedness. Forexample, sensor pads 312 may be gripped on one side of back panel 312(i.e. to the left of axis X) if the user is right handed.

[0050]FIG. 4 is a side view of electronic device 400 adapted to includean orientation-detection mechanism, under another embodiment. A sensorsystem is positioned on edges of housing 108 (FIG. 1). In oneembodiment, edge surfaces 422 extending from either pair of lateralsides 105, 115 (FIGS. 1 and 2) are provided with sensor pads 412 thatdetect touch by the user. For a square shaped device such as shown withFIG. 1, four edge surfaces 422 may be assumed for electronic device 400.The sensor pads 412 on each edge surface 422 detect touch by the user.For example, finger tips may extend over and actuate sensor pads 412 ontwo or more of the edge surfaces 422.

[0051] The sensor pads 412 that are actuated by a user's grip may beused to detect orientation information, such as right/left-handedness,and top/down directions of electronic device 100. For example, when auser grips a square electronic device 100 such as shown by FIG. 1, theedge surface 422 with the greatest number of actuated surfaces may beused to identify the handedness of the user. Alternatively, the edgesurface with the greatest number of actuated surfaces may indicate theleft-right orientation of the device in use.

[0052] Examples of orientation information that can be determinedthrough sensor systems such as described with FIGS. 3 and 4 includeleft/right-handedness, top/bottom directions, and upward/downwardfacing. Other types of orientation information may be provided by otherembodiments.

[0053] Sensor systems such as described with FIGS. 2 and 4 may beimplemented through various mechanisms. Contact-sensitiveelectromechanical materials that change resistance, inductance, or otherelectrical properties, may form sensor pads 312 (FIG. 3), 412 (FIG. 4).

[0054] (2) Housings With Integrally Formed Sensor Materials

[0055] In one embodiment, the housing of the electronic device may beformed from contact-sensitive material. The contact-sensitive materialmay be a unitary or integrated feature of the housing, at least inplaces where the sensor systems are in place. Electrical connections maybe extended to a processor of the electronic device to designatedhousing locations from where the material is to providecontact-sensitive information.

[0056] Alternatively, the housing may incorporate the sensor materialwith no designated housing location for detecting contact. Rather,sufficient portions of the housing are contact-sensitive to enablecontact to be located continuously over one or more of the housing'spanels or surfaces. This contact may be used to determine orientationinformation.

[0057] With reference to FIG. 3, housing panel 320 may have an exteriorlayer formed from material that inherently detects user-contact. Thisuser-contact detected from this type of material may be used to indicatethe manner in which the user is holding electronic device 300. Forexample, the user's grip on electronic device 300 may detect whether theuse is left-handed or right-handed, the left and right sides, the topand bottom sides, and/or an upward direction.

[0058] One type of material that can be used for a sensor material as anintegrated portion of the housing is electronic muscle. Electronicmuscle is a dielectric elastomer material that can be stretched andallowed to contract. The elastic stresses created from stretching andcontracting the electronic muscle work against the electric field of thematerial and create electrical energy.

[0059] Electronic muscle may be used on some or all of the electronicdevice's housing. The electronic muscle may be made available in areaswhere users naturally grip the electronic device. In particular, theelectronic muscle may be positioned in places such where the sensorsystems are located, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0060] If pressure from user is detected, the electronic energy createdfrom the contact to the electronic muscle is the input corresponding tothe orientation information. The device may be configured based on thisorientation information.

[0061] A more detailed description of electronic muscle is provided in aU.S. Patent Application entitled “Implementation of Electronic MusclesIn A Portable Computer As User Input/Output Devices,” filed on Aug. 30,2001, having Ser. No. 09/944,280, and naming Shawn Gettemy and Yoon KeanWong as inventors. The aforementioned application is hereby incorporatedby reference.

[0062] Another type of material that can be used as sensor materials isknown under the trade name ELEKTEX, manufactured by ELEKSEN LIMITED.This type of material detects contact through a change in electricalresistance.

[0063] An analog-digital converter (see FIG. 7) may be used with thesensor materials to detect and interpret contact with the sensormaterials. The analog-digital converter changes electrical signalscreated through changes in the electrical properties of the materials.The analog-digital converter may also detect the position for wherecontact is occurring on the housing of the electronic device.

[0064] (3) User-Initiated Detection Mechanisms

[0065] Rather than automatically detect orientation information, anelectronic device such as shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to enableusers to enter input that corresponds to orientation information. Inthese embodiments, orientation information is detected through auser-interface feature that is manually operated by the user to informthe electronic device of how it is being held. FIG. 6 illustrates amethod for operating the electronic device using orientation informationmanually entered by the user.

[0066] For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the user presses thebutton 130 (FIG. 1) that is in a predetermined location on theelectronic device 100 when he is holding the device. For example, thebutton 130 in the top left comer can be pressed by the user to set theorientation of the electronic device 100. Upon receiving the buttonpress, the electronic device 100 configures the user-interface featuresbased on which button 130 was pressed.

[0067] (4) Environmental Sensors

[0068] In another embodiment, environmental sensors may be used todetect orientation information used to configure the user-interfacefeatures of the electronic device. Examples of environmental sensorsinclude accelerometers or similar devices that can be used to measuregravity.

[0069] D. Methods for Configuring User-Interface Features of AmbiguousDevices

[0070] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate methods for configuring different types ofuser-interface features based on orientation information detected from adetection mechanism. Reference to numerals in other figures of thisapplication is for illustrative purposes only.

[0071] The detection mechanisms may correspond to any combination ofsensor systems, user-input mechanisms, sensor materials, or combinationsthereof. Examples for detection mechanisms are described with FIGS. 3and 4, and elsewhere in Section C.

[0072]FIG. 5 illustrates a method for configuring a user-interfacefeature of an electronic device based to a detected orientation. Theelectronic device is ambiguous when not in use, so that the orientationof its user-interface features is unknown. As described below, theorientation of the electronic device is detectable when the electronicdevice in held or in use. This orientation may be used to configure theuser-interface features of electronic device.

[0073] In step 510, orientation information is detected. The orientationinformation may be detected from any number of sensor systems describedabove. For example, sensor systems described with FIGS. 3 and 4 may beused to gain the orientation information. Alternatively, sensormaterials incorporated into the housing of the material detect theorientation of the electronic device.

[0074] In step 520, an orientation is selected for user-interfacefeatures on the electronic device. The orientation is selected based onthe detected orientation information.

[0075] Step 530 provides that the user-interface features are configuredaccording to the selected orientation.

[0076] In an embodiment such as shown by FIG. 1, the user-interfacefeatures of electronic device 100 include buttons 130 and display 120.The actions assigned to each button 130 is unknown when electronicdevice 100 is ambiguous. Furthermore, the direction content is to appearon display 120 is unknown.

[0077] When the device is used, orientation information is detected andused to assign actions assigned to specific buttons 130. Each of thebuttons 130 may be assigned an action based on a relative position ofthat button to a reference point or designation. Similarly, orientationinformation about a reference point or designation determines thetop-down and left-right direction on display 120.

[0078] For example, the reference point of electronic device 100 maycoincide with a user's palm and/or fingers in gripping electronic device100. The detection mechanism may determine the left and top side ofelectronic device 100 relative to the user's grip. Each of the buttons130 may be assigned an action based on that button's position relativeto the user's hand. For example, any button assigned the top left cornerposition when electronic device 100 is held by the user is assigned afunction for that position. Similarly, display 120 displays content,receives input, and orients itself based on the detected left-right andtop-down reference designations.

[0079]FIG. 6 illustrates a method for detecting orientation informationthrough user-input. The user-input may substitute for sensors and othermechanisms that detect orientation information about the electronicdevice.

[0080] In step 610, input is detected that corresponds to orientationinformation. In one embodiment, the input may correspond to a buttonpress to one of the buttons 130 (FIG. 1),. In another embodiment, theinput may correspond to actuation of one of the contact surfaces 240(FIG. 2). The input includes an attribute or characteristic that servesas a reference designation for electronic device 100. For example,electronic device 100 (FIG. 1) may be configured so that the user mustpress the top, left corner button to switch the device from an ambiguousstate.

[0081] Step 620 provides that the user-input is translated intoorientation information. In the example provided, electronic device 100makes a reference designation based on which button 130 is pressed towake the electronic device 100 from the ambiguous state. In this way,the top, left corner button press designates the top, bottom, left, andright sides of electronic device 100.

[0082] Step 630 provides that electronic device 100 is configured usingthe detected orientation information. For example, each button may beassigned an action based on its position relative to the top-leftcorner. The display may be oriented top-down and left-right based on theproximity of each corner of the display to the button 130 designated asbeing the top-left corner.

[0083] E. Hardware Diagram

[0084]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware implementationfor use with an embodiment where an electronic device is a handheldcomputer. Handheld computers, sometimes referred to as PDAs, operatePersonal Information Management software. Examples of software that canbe operated by a handheld computer includes PALM OS, manufactured byPALM INC., or POCKET PC, manufactured by MICROSOFT.

[0085] In an embodiment, a handheld computer 700 includes a processor740 coupled to a first memory 744 (non-volatile) and a second memory 746(volatile). The processor 740 is coupled to a display driver 722. Theprocessor 740 combines with display driver 722 to process and signaldata for presentation on a display assembly 720. The display assembly720 may include screen and digitizer components, as described in FIG.2B.

[0086] In an embodiment, a sensor system 764 may be provided to detectorientation information. The sensor system 764 may comprise informationcompiled from a plurality of actuated sensor pads, such as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. The orientation information may be detected as an analogvalue.

[0087] An analog-digital (AD) converter 732 is coupled to processor 740.The sensor system 764 signals orientation information to processor 740via A/D converter 732. In addition, one or more channels 736 from A/Dconverter 732 maybe used to convert analog input provided by thedigitizer, or by another analog input mechanism.

[0088] The handheld computer 700 may include one or more expansion portsfor coupling to accessory devices, such as cradles, modems, memoryunits, re-chargers and other devices. Examples of expansion portsinclude serial ports, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, CompactFlashslots and infra-red ports. In an embodiment shown, an expansion port 702enables one or more types of expansion modules to be connected toprocessor 740.

[0089] A power supply 755 may provide power to one or more internalcomponents of the handheld computer 700. The power supply may correspondto a rechargeable or disposable battery set.

[0090] F. Alternative Buttons

[0091] While embodiments described herein provide for symmetricalelectronic devices that are square in shape, other embodiments may useother symmetrical shapes. For example, the electronic device may becircular in shape.

[0092] While user-interface features described herein have focused ondisplay and buttons, other embodiments may provide for other typesfeatures that can be oriented with orientation information. For example,connector ports, housing features and other components are configurablewith orientation information.

[0093] G. Conclusion

[0094] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made theretowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention.The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a user-interfacefeature configurable to have a selected orientation about at least afirst axis; a detection mechanism to detect orientation informationabout the electronic device; and one or more components configured toselect the orientation of the user-interface feature based on thedetected orientation information, and to configure the user-interfacefeature according to the selected orientation, wherein the selectedorientation is based on at least a first reference point on the firstaxis.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user-interfacefeature is symmetrically disposed about a first axis, and wherein theselected orientation defines a reference indication on the first axis.3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user-interface featureis symmetrically disposed about a first axis and a second axis, andwherein the selected orientation defines a first reference indication onthe first axis, and a second reference indication on a second axis. 4.The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the user-interface featureincludes a display, and wherein the one or more components select theorientation by selecting a top-down direction on the first axis fordisplaying content on the display.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the user-interface feature includes a set of buttons disposedsymmetrically about the first axis, wherein the one or more componentsinclude a processor that selects the orientation of the set of buttonsby specifying a reference indication that defines a position of eachbutton relative to the first axis, and wherein the processor assigns afunction from a set of functions to each of the plurality of buttonsbased on the position of each button.
 6. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the one or more components include a processor.
 7. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein one or more components include adisplay driver.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thedetection mechanism includes a plurality of sensor areas that detectuser-contact.
 9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the pluralityof sensor areas detect orientation information by being individuallyactuatable so that one or more actuated sensor areas form a selectportion of the plurality of sensors that combine to define theorientation information.
 10. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe detection mechanisms includes a first actuatable surface and asecond actuatable surface, wherein orientation information is detectedby determining which of the first and second actuatable surface isactuated by user-contact.
 11. The electronic device of claim 10, whereinthe orientation is selected so as to configure the user-interfacefeature for left-handedness or right-handedness when one of the first orsecond actuatable surfaces is actuated.
 12. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the user-interface feature is a handwriting inputmechanism, and wherein the one or more components include a processorthat selects the orientation of the handwriting input mechanism to beeither for a left-handed user or a right-handed user depending on theorientation information detected by the detection mechanism.
 13. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensor areas arearranged to detect a user's hand orientation when the user grips theelectronic device.
 14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein theuser-interface feature includes a digital input feature of a display,and wherein the one or more components configure the user-interfacefeature according to the selected orientation by determining a positionof the digital input feature on the display.
 15. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the one or more components select the orientation ofthe user-interface feature based on the detected orientation informationonly if the electronic device is first determined to not have been inactive use for a set duration of time.
 16. A method for configuring aelectronic device, the method comprising: detecting at least oneuser-contact in a plurality of possible detectable user-contacts withthe electronic device; interpreting an orientation for a user-interfacefeature from the detected one or more user-contacts; and configuring theuser-interface feature according to the interpreted orientation.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein interpreting an orientation for auser-interface feature from the detected one or more user-contactsincludes determining a reference indication of the user-interfacefeature about one or more axes from the one or more contacts.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising determining reference indicationabout one or more axes that the user-interface feature is symmetricallydisposed about.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining thereference indication includes determining a direction for contentappearing on a display.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein configuringthe user-interface feature according to the interpreted orientationincludes assigning an action to each button in a button set using thereference indication.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting atleast one user-contact in a plurality of possible detectableuser-contacts with the electronic device includes detecting a firstbutton press from a set of at least two or more possible button presses.22. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting at least one user-contactin a plurality of possible detectable user-contacts with the electronicdevice includes detecting a grip configuration of a user from one ormore sensors on a housing of the electronic device.
 23. The method ofclaim 16, wherein interpreting an orientation for a user-interfacefeature includes determining a top-down vertical orientation for adisplay on the electronic device, and wherein configuring theuser-interface feature includes configuring the display so as to displaycontent according to the top-down vertical orientation.
 24. The methodof claim 16, wherein interpreting an orientation for a user-interfacefeature includes determining a right-left horizontal orientation for adisplay on the electronic device, and wherein configuring theuser-interface feature includes configuring the display so as to displaycontent according to the right-left horizontal orientation.
 25. Themethod of claim 16, wherein interpreting an orientation for auser-interface feature includes identifying the orientation of a digitalinput mechanism on a display of the electronic device.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein identifying the orientation of a digital inputmechanism on a display of the electronic device includes selecting aposition of a handwriting input area on the display of the electronicdevice.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein identifying the orientationof a digital input mechanism on a display of the electronic deviceincludes selecting an arrangement of multiple character entry boxes forthe handwriting input area appearing on the display.
 28. The method ofclaim 16, wherein interpreting an orientation for a user-interfacefeature includes identifying a reference indication for theuser-interface feature based on the detected one or more user-contacts.29. An electronic device comprising: a display disposed symmetricallyabout one or more axes, the display being configurable to have aselected orientation based on a reference indication on the one or moreaxes; a detection mechanism to detect orientation information of theelectronic device in use; and one or more components configured toautomatically determine the reference indication and to select theorientation of the display based on the determined reference indication.30. The electronic device of claim 28, where the reference indicationidentifies at least one of a top-down direction or right-left directionof the display.
 31. An electronic device comprising: a set of actuatablesurfaces disposed symmetrically about one or more axes, the set ofactuatable surfaces being configurable to have a selected orientationbased on a reference indication on the one or more axes; a detectionmechanism to detect orientation information of the electronic device inuse; and one or more components configured to automatically determinethe reference indication and to select the orientation of the set ofactuatable surfaces based on the determined reference indication
 32. Theelectronic device of claim 31, wherein the orientation of the set ofactuatable surfaces defines an action assigned to each button in the setof buttons.